6 Reasons Why Gutter Maintenance Is Important

Water can be one of the most destructive forces on the planet, which is why proper gutter maintenance is one of the most important things you can do to care for your home. Unfortunately, many people do not think about cleaning or repairing their gutters until there is already a problem. Just like with your roof, it is best to do preventative inspections, cleaning, and maintenance before a problem presents itself.

Why it is important to take care of your gutters

Debris build up in your gutters not only causes water to flow incorrectly off of your rooftop, it can also add weight to the gutters. This added weight can make them sag or pull away from your rooftop.

Here are some things homeowners should understand as to why taking care of your gutters is so important.

Increased chance of leaks

Standing water in your gutters also increases the chance of rust and mold growing on your roof.

Gutters stuffed with debris that are unable to drain water properly can even cause leaks inside your house. Water wants to obey gravity and find its way to the ground. Unfortunately, if your gutters are not draining properly, the path of least resistance might not be the path you have in mind or the path that is best for your home.

Ruined landscaping

Clogged gutters or downspouts will often cause rainwater to flow over the side of the gutters. Gutters that have become loose and are pulling away from the house, won’t catch all the water and much of it runs right off the edge of the roof.

In both of these cases, any landscaping found below your roof will likely be damaged. Plants, flowers, and gardens can be completely destroyed or flooded.

Damage to the foundation of your home

When a gutter system is operating correctly, it will direct water off your rooftop away from your home’s foundation and towards areas of the yard equipped to handle and absorb it.

Clogged or loose gutters that are not doing their job leave water to run down the side of the house, which eventually will create cracks in the foundation. The water will often find its way into your basement and cause expensive damage to your home and belongings.

Can cause stains, rust, or rot on your home siding

Many homeowners do not think of this, but if your home siding is made of wood or aluminum, water running down the side of your house can cause the siding or trim to rot over time. Even if it does not rot, it can cause unsightly water stains down the house.

Extra weight strains the gutters

The weight of debris, standing water, and even ice in the winter time can put significant extra strain on your gutters which can cause them to sag, pull away from the roof creating gaps for water to flow down, or even completely collapse.

Unwanted pests

Have you ever visited a pond and see tons of insects and bugs flying around? Well, when debris is allowed to build up in your gutters, it can end up similar to a pond and will attract mosquitoes, flies, and other insects.

These uninvited guests can make any time spent outside unpleasant.

For all of these reasons, you should make sure you are taking care of your gutters.

Need Help?

A solution that has become very popular that solves these problems and makes cleaning and maintaining your gutters much less of a hassle is seamless gutters. Garage Doors & More is the leading installation expert of seamless gutters in the greater Charlotte, NC area. For a free quote and consultation, call us at 704-895-1006.